Emerging Role of Autophagy in Governing Cellular Dormancy, Metabolic Functions, and Therapeutic Responses of Cancer Stem Cells.

Tumors are composed of heterogeneous populations of dysregulated cells that grow in specialized niches that support their growth and maintain their properties. Tumor heterogeneity and metastasis are among the major hindrances that exist while treating cancer patients, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Although the factors that determine tumor complexity remain largely unknown, several genotypic and phenotypic changes, including DNA mutations and metabolic reprograming provide cancer cells with a survival advantage over host cells and resistance to therapeutics.

Role of autophagy in regulation of glioma stem cells population during therapeutic stress.

Glioblastoma is highly recurrent and aggressive tumor with poor prognosis where existence of glioma stem cell (GSCs) population is well established. The GSCs display stem cell properties such as self-renewable, proliferation and therapeutic resistance which contribute to its role in tumor progression, metastasis and recurrence. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can also be induced from non-stem cancer cells in response to radio/chemotherapy that further contribute to cancer relapse post therapy.

Induces Apoptosis in HL-60 Cells Through ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway.

The present study was taken up to evaluate the apoptosis inducing ability of alcoholic extract of whole plant of (AAE) in HL-60 cells. We observed time and concentration dependent decrease in cell viability after treatment with AAE. Fluorescent staining and scanning electron micrographs of treated HL-60 cells demonstrated chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and formation of apoptotic blebs.

Critical role of three-dimensional tumorsphere size on experimental outcome.

Three-dimensional spheroids are a reliable model to study tumor biology and drug toxicity. However, inconsistencies exist in terms of seeding cell density that governs spheroid size and shape, influencing the experimental outcome. We investigated the effect of varying cell densities using glioblastoma cells on tumorsphere formation and their responsiveness to drug treatment.

Prediction of 3D Protein Structure Based on The Mutation of and Genes in The Case of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia.

Background: The present study has been designed with the aim of evaluating A-kinase anchoring proteins 3 () and Procollagen-Lysine, 2-Oxoglutarate 5-Dioxygenase 3 () gene mutations and prediction of 3D protein structure for ligand binding activity in the cases of non-obstructive azoospermic male.

Materials And Methods: Clinically diagnosed cases of non-obstructive azoospermia (n=111) with age matched controls (n=42) were included in the present case-control study for genetics analysis and confirmation of diagnosis. The sample size was calculated using Epi info software version 6 with 90 power and 95% confidence interval.

Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Therapy for Skin Tissue Engineering and Tissue Regeneration.

Chronic wounds that are difficult to heal are physical and financial burden to the sufferer and a challenge to the treating physician. The main purpose of this study was to develop a novel method of using bone marrow (BM) aspirate, either cultured or fresh, as early solution for healing of chronic wounds and further reduce infection and tissue necrosis. In this case-control study conducted on 75 patients with chronic wounds, 50 patients with aspirate or cultured BM were used as cases and 25 with only daily saline dressings were used as controls.

Thiazolidinone Constraint Combretastatin Analogs as Novel Antitubulin Agents: Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Studies.

Background: Microtubules act as a useful and strategic molecular target for various anticancer drugs that binds to its distinct sites in tubulin subunits and inhibits its polymerization and ultimately leads to cell death. Moreover, numerous reports highlight the cytotoxic effects of constraint Combretastatin analogs and thiazolidinone derivatives.

Objective: Therefore, the present study investigates the potential of thiazolidinone constraint combretastatin analogs as tubulin inhibitors.

Epigarcinol and isogarcinol isolated from the root of Garcinia ovalifolia induce apoptosis of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60 cells).

Background: Plants from garcinia genus have been used for centuries against several diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by epigarcinol and isogarcinol isolated from the root of Garcinia ovalifolia (Clusiaceae) on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60 cells).

Methods: Epigarcinol and isogarcinol were isolated from the root of G.

Fruits and barks extracts of Zanthozyllum heitzii a spice from Cameroon induce mitochondrial dependent apoptosis and Go/G1 phase arrest in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

Background: Zanthoxylum heitzii is a spice used to prepare several dishes and to treat tumors, syphilis, malaria, cardiac palpitations, urogenital infections in the west region of Cameroon, but the antitumor mechanisms and chemical composition are not yet investigated. This study was aimed to determine the antiproliferative effects of four extracts from the fruits and barks of Zanthoxyllum heitzii (Rutaceae) on apoptosis in human promyelocytic cells, their mechanisms and the chemical composition. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the fifty percent inhibition (IC50) concentration of the cell lines after treatment.

Synthesis and characterization of 2-substituted benzimidazoles and their evaluation as anticancer agent.

In this work, we report a series of benzimidazole derivatives synthesized from benzene-1,2-diamine and aryl-aldehydes at room temperature. The synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and various spectroscopic studies viz., IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, ESI-MS as well by X-ray single X-ray crystallographic study.

In vitro anticancer activity of extracts of Mentha Spp. against human cancer cells.

In vitro anticancer potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of whole plants of Mentha arvensis, M. longifolia, M. spicata and M.

Tailored polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles for the delivery of drug conjugate: dual strategy for brain targeting.

The object of the present study was to investigate the glioma targeting propensity of folic acid (F) decorated polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLNs) encapsulating cyclo-[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys] (cRGDfK) modified paclitaxel (PtxR-FPLNs). The prepared PLNs were supposed to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) efficiently and subsequently target integrin rich glioma cells. The developed formulations were characterized for size, shape, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release profile.

Quinazoline based small molecule exerts potent tumour suppressive properties by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signalling in experimental colon cancer.

Deregulation of PI3K signalling pathway is strongly involved in pathology of cancer and development of resistance in tumour cells. Here, we report that pharmacologically active vasicinone analogue, RLX (7, 8, 9, 10-Tetrahydroazepino [2, 1-b] quinazolin-12-(6H)-on), exhibited potent anticancer activities both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, RLX treatment displayed strong inhibition of proliferation against various cancer cell lines.

Antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptosis by Annona muricata (Annonaceae) extract on human cancer cells.

Background: Annona muricata (A. muricata) is widely distributed in Asia, Africa and South America. Different parts of this plant are used to treat several diseases in Cameroon.

Cell specific apoptosis by RLX is mediated by NFκB in human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells.

Background: Resistance to chemotherapy represents a major obstacle in correcting colorectal carcinomas (CRC). Inspite of recent advances in the treatment of metastatic disease, the prognosis of the patients remains poor. RLX, a vasicinone analogue has been reported to possess potent bronchodilator, anti-asthmatic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Immunosuppressive potential of Botryosphaeria dothidea, an endophyte isolated from Kigelia africana.

Context: For years, natural products from microbes have been used as drugs. Endophytes are the most important fungi that produce many novel metabolites for potential use in pharmacology and agriculture.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to explore new endophytes for novel natural products.

Cytotoxic compounds from the leaves of Garcinia polyantha.

A new compound, named banganxanthone C (=12-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-en-1-yl)-5,10-dihydroxy-9-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-b]xanthen-6-one; 4), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia polyantha. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Among the known compounds, two were xanthones, one was a pentacyclic triterpene, one sterol, and one benzophenone derivative.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of leaves extracts of Holarrhena antidysenterica against some human cancer cell lines.

In vitro cytotoxic potential of extracts (95% and 50% ethanolic extract and hot water extract at concentration of 100 microg/ml) from leaves of Holarrhena antidysenterica was evaluated against fourteen human cancer cell lines--A-549, COLO-205, DU-145, HeLa, HEP-2, IMR-32, KB, MCF-7, NCI-H23, OVCAR-5, SiHa, SK-N-MC, SW-620 and ZR-75-1 from nine different tissues (breast, colon, cervix, CNS, lung, liver, oral, ovary and prostate) using SRB assay. The 95% ethanolic extract displayed maximum anti-proliferative effect in the range of 73-92% against eight human cancer cell lines, while 50% ethanolic extract showed cytotoxic activity in the range of 70-94% against seven human cancer cell lines. However, the hot water extract did not show any activity.

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi isolated from Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell (Scrophulariaceae).

Background: Endophytes, which reside in plant tissues, have the potential to produce novel metabolites with immense benefits for health industry. Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi isolated from Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell were investigated.

Dual targeted polymeric nanoparticles based on tumor endothelium and tumor cells for enhanced antitumor drug delivery.

Some specific types of tumor cells and tumor endothelial cells represented CD13 proteins and act as receptors for Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motifs containing peptide. These CD13 receptors can be specifically recognized and bind through the specific sequence of cyclic NGR (cNGR) peptide and presented more affinity and specificity toward them. The cNGR peptide was conjugated to the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) terminal end in the poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid PLGA-PEG block copolymer.

Induction of mitochondrial dependent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells by an extract from Dorstenia psilurus: a spice from Cameroon.

Background: The use of edible plants is an integral part of dietary behavior in the West region of Cameroon. Dorstenia psilurus (Moraceae) is widely used as spice and as medicinal plant for the treatment of several diseases in Cameroon. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of methanol extract of D.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Garcina epunctata induces apoptosis in human promyelocytic cells (HL-60) through the ROS generation and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest: a bioassay-guided approach.

Number of deaths due to cancer diseases is increasing in the world. There is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic measures against the disease. Our study reports the cytotoxicity activity of Garcina epunctata (gutifferae) in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) and prostate cancer cells (PC-3) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT).

Cytogenetic profile of aplastic anaemia in Indian children.

Background & Objectives: Aplastic anaemia is a rare haematological disorder characterized by pancytopenia with a hypocellular bone marrow. It may be inherited/genetic or acquired. Acquired aplastic anaemia has been linked to many drugs, chemicals and viruses.

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of selected Cameroonian edible plants.

Background: In Cameroon, the use of edible plants is an integral part of dietary behavior. However, evidence of the antimicrobial as well as the cytotoxic effects of many of them has not been investigated. In the present study, aqueous and methanol extracts from barks, seeds, leaves and roots of three Cameroonian edible plants namely Garcina lucida, Fagara heitzii and Hymenocardia lyrata were evaluated for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.